3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as
to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote;
as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.
[1913 Webster]

I would prefer him to a better place. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

4. To set above or before something else in estimation,
favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to
hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed
by to, before, or above.
[1913 Webster]

Look at other dictionaries:

preferred stock — preferred′ stock′ n. bus stock that has a superior claim to that of common stock with respect to dividends and often to assets in the event of liquidation • Etymology: 1840–50, amer … From formal English to slang

preferred stock — ☆ preferred stock n. stock on which dividends must be paid before those of common stock: it usually also receives preference in the distribution of assets … English World dictionary

preferred stock — A type of equity or capital representing shares of ownership in a corporation. May or may not receive distributions of corporate income in the form of dividends. Has a higher priority claim to corporate earnings or assets than common stock but… … Financial and business terms

Preferred stock — A security that shows ownership in a corporation and gives the holder a claim, prior to the claim of common stockholders, on earnings and also generally on assets in the event of liquidation. Most preferred stock pays a fixed dividend that is… … Financial and business terms

Preferred Stock — A class of ownership in a corporation that has a higher claim on the assets and earnings than common stock. Preferred stock generally has a dividend that must be paid out before dividends to common stockholders and the shares usually do not have… … Investment dictionary

preferred stock — An ownership share in a corporation that has preference over *common stock in the distribution of earnings. Preferred status over common stock also often relates to payments arising on a corporation’s liquidation. Preferred *stockholders take on… … Auditor's dictionary

preferred stock — A part of the capital stock of a corporation, the peculiar and distinctive characteristic of which is that it is entitled to a priority over other stock in the distribution of profits. Sometimes called guaranteed stock. Corporate stock given a… … Ballentine's law dictionary